TMS Community ROAR Report
Be the Change at TMS!
Email: janine.smith@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/tms/
Location: 408 East Main Street, Thurmont, MD, United States
Phone: (240)-236-5100
Twitter: @JanineSmithFCPS
December Newsletter
Be the Change
Greetings Panther Families,
As we approach the holiday season and time of giving, I would like to encourage our entire school community to embrace the power of kindness. It has been extremely wonderful to have all of our students back in the building for in-person instruction, however, we have encountered some incidents where some students are using unkind, and derogatory language. Before Thanksgiving break, we conducted a school-wide message and lesson from the administrative team about the expectations and consequences of inappropriate language towards others. I am asking for your support and assistance to ensure that we have a safe and welcoming environment for all of our students at Thurmont Middle School. We will not tolerate any negative behavior that is motivated by inappropriate language that is hurtful towards others. At Thurmont Middle School one of our essential goals is to create and sustain a safe and welcoming environment where all students can flourish. Thank you for your support of this topic and for your continued support with all that we have encountered this school year.
As we approach the end of term 2, please be sure to encourage your student to complete assignments on time and to seek support and assistance during Panther Time or during our after school tutoring.
Be the Change,
Janine Smith~Principal
Anita Shank~Assistant Principal
Important Dates and Upcoming Events
Important Calendar Date Reminders
- Thursday, December 2nd-Community Food Distribution-Back Parking Lot @ TMS 3:30-5:30
- Monday, December 6th -2-Hour Early Dismissal (Mid-term)
- Wednesday, December 8th-PBIS Roy Roger's Night @ 5:00
- Tuesday, December 14th-Interims available/issued
- Friday, December 17th-SGA Dance @ TMS 2:30pm-4:00pm
- Tuesday, December 21st-Band and Chorus Winter Concert @ 6:00
- Thursday, December 23rd-January 2nd-School Closed (Winter Break)
- Monday, January 3rd-School Re-Opens
TMS Martin Luther King, Jr. Award
We are extremely proud of Seamus and know that he will represent TMS well as the recipient of this award. This year's Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration is scheduled as a virtual event.
Please join us in congratulating Seamus for this great honor!
Be the Change!
TMS Spirit Week December 13th-December 17th
Monday: Pajama Day
Tuesday: Crazy Socks
Wednesday: Decorated Water Bottle
Thursday: Crazy Hair
Friday: Ugly Sweater (contest during lunch shifts)
Friday: SGA Winter Dance 2:30-4:00--Cost $5.00
TMS PTA Needs YOU!
We need YOU to become a member of our PTA! You can now pay for your membership online. Please click the MemberHub link below.
Your membership dues help pay for activities for the students, donations to the school, and help pay for costs of field trips to keep your cost down.
Become a member today!! Thank you for your support~
Tutor Me
Morning Arrival
Important Reminders and Updates
Holiday Support- The Salvation Army of Frederick Holiday assistance is open for registration. Please contact Ms. Pizza at Kelly.Pizza@fcps.org with any questions and any families looking for support for holiday gifts can call The Seton Center in Emmitsburg. 301-447-6102 ext. 13.
Mask Wearing-As we settle into the school year, it has been observed that many students have become more relaxed with the FCPS mask protocol. Please encourage your student that masks need to be worn around the mouth and nose for proper use. Students must be wearing a mask at all times unless they are eating lunch or outside for PE or recess. Thanks for your support of this as we continue to have safety as our number one priority.
Chromebook Cases- Please encourage your student to carry their FCPS issued Chromebook in the provided case. Many students are removing them from the case and this has caused an increase in damages to our school Chromebooks. The cases are an extra layer of protection against damages.
FCPS Bus Delay Information:
A quick and easy resource to check if your child's bus is delayed is to visit https://apps.fcps.org/transdelay/ This site is updated in real-time to reflect any bus delays.
Reporting Bullying, Harassment & Intimidation – Bullying, harassment, or intimidation includes ongoing intentional conduct, including verbal, physical, or written conduct, or intentional electronic communication that creates a hostile educational environment by substantially interfering with a student’s educational benefits, opportunities, or performance, or with a student’s physical or psychological well-being that occurs on school property, at a school activity or event, or on a school bus.
Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Forms may be submitted by a student, parent, close adult relative, or staff member to school administration. A student may request assistance from a staff member to complete the form if the student wishes. The Bullying, Harassment, or Intimidation Reporting Forms may be obtained in the school’s main (front) office and counselor’s office. The forms may also be obtained electronically from the school system’s web site.
Bullying Online Reporting Form
Lost or Damaged Instructional Materials – The student shall be held responsible for the careful use and protection of the books, materials, and equipment loaned or assigned to him. Upon the request of the principal, the student shall return these items in good condition, allowing for normal usage.
Lockers:
As a mitigation strategy we have decided for the first half of the school year to allow students to carry their book bags with them to class. If your child is in need of a locker this year, please reach out to the grade level counselor and a locker will be assigned to your student.
- 6th Grade Counselor: Becky Krauss--Rebecca.Krauss@fcps.org
- 7th Grade Counselor: Sherry Bueso--Sherry.Bueso@fcps.org
- 8th Grade Counselor: Stacie Varanyak--Stacie.Varanyak@fcps.org
Schoology:
- FCPS Schoology Page for Students and Families https://www.fcps.org/student-services/schoology
- FCPS Schoology YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGATg8OciCItdUiqHJyHHrA
- FCPS Schoology Troubleshooting Guide https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OJWzxwXeSumMlev5Ac8_-B0aaKhW5_ofMvuRO3a1pws/edit?usp=sharing
- How To View Grades in Schoology https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HG9UQhjKp3gqu7lj6zJJoPNuALXpsY8GGseM5Gu-yX0/edit?usp=sharing
Cell Phone Policy:
Thurmont Middle School has implemented the "Off, Away, and Out of Sight" cell phone policy for the last several years. While students are in the school building during the instructional day, they are to keep their cell phones, "Off, Away, and Out of Sight".
Attendance:
If your child is unable to attend school due to an illness or doctor's appointment, or any other reason, please email a note to our attendance secretary, Ms. Shannon Ingram at tms.attendance@fcps.org. Please include your child's first and last name, grade, date of absence, and reason for absence. If Ms. Ingram has any questions she will reach out for clarification.